Collins enters her first season on staff at Utah Valley after being named an assistant coach on June 5, 2026. "We are so excited to bring Danja back into our program," Utah Valley head coach
Dan Nielson said. "She brings toughness and an understanding of how our program operates that will help our post players grasp our schemes and expectations. Her positivity is infectious and will be a great asset in recruiting and building player relationships. I can't wait to see the same drive and passion she had as a player be used as a coach."
"I am so excited to be a Wolverine again," Collins said. "Spending my final year of eligibility at UVU was the highlight of my playing career, and I am extremely grateful to be part of this program again. I can't wait to contribute to this new era of Big West competition alongside this exceptional staff."
PLAYER BIO
At Utah Valley ...
Graduate (2024-25): Named to Academic All-WAC Team ... averaged 8.4 points and a WAC-best 9.0 rebounds per game ... scored a season-high 18 points against Abilene Christian on January 4… Made four 3-pointers for 16 points against Tarleton State on March 8… Recorded a season-high 18 rebounds versus Weber State on December 20… Achieved double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds against LMU (CA) on November 22… Totaled 14 rebounds against Jacksonville State on December 16… Notched 11 rebounds in multiple games, including Abilene Christian on January 4 and Air Force on March 21… Season total of 259 rebounds, leading to an average of 8.9 rebounds per game… Accumulated 30 steals and 17 blocks over the season… Played in 29 out of 32 games, contributing significantly in rebounds and defense…
Before Utah Valley ...
College: Spent four years at Santa Clara and earned her undergrad in public health and a graduate degree in psychology ... appeared in 60 games during her time there, starting 22 games ... in 2021-22, she played in all 31 games, starting 17, and averaging 6.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game ... dealt with injuries over final two seasons with Broncos, redshirting the 2022-23 season and appearing in seven games in 2023-24 ... was an NJCAA All-American at Eastern Arizona College after leading the nation with 15.7 rebounds per game to go along with 17.2 points per game in 2019-20.
High School: Prepped at Mountain View High School in Orem, Utah ... named Region Defensive MVP and two-time All-Region honoree ... helped team to back-to-back region championships ... also competed in volleyball and track & field in high school.
Personal ...
Born in Giessen, Germany ... parents are Maren and Rick Stafford ... comes from a family heavily involved in collegiate and professional sports ... she is the cousin of UVU teammate Tahlia White ... her dad played basketball at Alaska Anchorage where he's a member of the school's Hall of Fame ... also played professionally in the German Basketball League where he was a Euroleague Champion ... her mom played basketball and competed in track & field at BYU and played volleyball at Alaska Anchorage ... twin brothers (Radi and Eli) are wrestlers at Utah Valley ... brother Ricky played at Southern Virginia and professionally in Germany ... grandfather (Dick Legas) was a world class javelin thrower at BYU and also played football ... cousin (Cooper Legas) played college football at Utah State and Tulsa ... cousin (Hailey Walker) played basketball at Fort Hays State ... cousin (Reese Baldwin) plays volleyball at USU Eastern ... cousin (Scout Steeves) runs track at BYU ... has seven siblings, all males (Ricky, Radi, Eli, Abe, Hyrum, Till, and Cyrus) ... enjoys outdoors, climbing ... married husband Ammon Collins in 2023 in Oakland, California ... served on Santa Clara SAAC and DEIJ Committee ... participated in NCAA's Inclusion Forum and NCAA Career & Sports Forum ... involved with the Bay Area Women in Sports Initiative (BAWSI) as a volunteer coach and was a Team IMPACT fellow.
